Changing Nature of Competencies in Librarianship and the Role of Library and Information Science Schools

Libraries and information centers are dynamic institutions established with the purpose of disseminating information to the users of information. Libraries as institutions are witnessing transformation due to the developments occurring in the information landscape. Libraries have travelled a long journey from traditional libraries to the modern digital and virtual libraries. Nature of activities performed by library and information professionals in the traditional libraries also got changed with the passage of time. In order to perform activities in the libraries in an effective and efficient manner, library and information science professionals need competencies in terms of skills, knowledge, etc., related to the activities to be performed in libraries. Information technology has changed the way librarians perform their work and the expectations of library users. Thus with the transition of libraries from traditional to digital, nature of competencies has changed. Present paper highlights the changing nature of LIS competencies. Role of library and information science schools is also discussed in nurturing these competencies among the LIS professionals for producing competent manpower essential for managing libraries and information centers in the digital information environment.